Chowderheads to storm Saratoga for annual feast

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Christel MacLean is no stranger to dazzling the crowds at Chowderfest. This will be the ninth year she and her husband, Colin, will oversee the preparation of mega-batches of Circus Café's signature New England Clambake Chowder. "It's a tried and true chowder that's on our lunch and dinner menu," she said. "We get many new customers at Circus Cafe because of Chowderfest -- they want to come back to the restaurant and have the chowder again."

And coming back is something crowds of chowder lovers have been doing for 15 years. This year's Chowderfest is part of the 16th annual Winter Weekend in the Spa City, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and coordinated by the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau.

Visitors can pick up a ballot and taste chowders from more than 60 participating establishments and vote for their favorite. Each sample of chowder is $1, and is paid directly to the establishment. Valid ballots need five stickers from participating businesses and can be turned in to the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center or the Saratoga Springs City Center. Saturday's event features the new voting category of "Best Chowder under 1,000 bowls served."

Though vying for a possible prize always adds an element of excitement, MacLean says she, Colin, and their staff throw themselves into the event each year because it's simply a good time.

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"It's a Saratoga tradition and a great way to have fun in the winter," she said. "People love going out for the day and trying different types of chowder, perhaps having a cocktail somewhere later. Chowderfest gives people an opportunity to try a restaurant they've never been to before."

Though Circus Cafe has become known for it's traditional clam chowder, the MacLean's also own Sperry's Restaurant, where Executive Chef Dale Miller unfurls his creative side for the Chowderfest. "Last year we did an Italian sausage and sweet corn chowder," MacLean said. "This year, Dale Miller has come up with a Balinese chowder that includes shrimp, scallops, lobster, coconut milk, sweet potatoes and ginger."

Not all participants serve chowder.

Lorraine Murphy of Bettie's Cakes on Broadway said the venerable cupcake emporium will be serving special Chowderfest dessert cupcake on Saturday (the festival now has a dessert category). "We put a different spin on our Chowderfest cupcake," she said. "This year, it'll be a brand new flavor, but we're not revealing what it is ahead of time."

Murphy said to accommodate the crowds, Bettie's signature pink double-decker bus will be doing double duty on Saturday, parked outside Bettie's storefront at 371 Broadway. "If the crowds get too big in the store, participants can just grab a cupcake from the walk-up window of the bus."

Beth Alexander, who along with husband/chef Jasper, owns Hattie's Restaurant on Phila Street, said that no matter what intriguing concoction Jasper serves at the Chowderfest, participants seem to have a universally good time. "This will be our 10th year participating. People love this event, and our staff does, too," Alexander said. "No one seems to mind the cold weather.

"The atmosphere inside is festive, we serve great chowder, and play Cajun music, Alexander said. "I'm not sure what Jasper has up his sleeve this year, but my favorite chowder so far is the Smoked Shrimp and Corn Chowder he made the year we won."

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, a limited number of official Chowderfest chugs (reusable mug/lid/spoon combination) are being sold at the Children's Museum of Saratoga, Crafters Gallery, Franklin Community Center, Gaffney's Restaurant, Impressions of Saratoga, Malika International Boutique Inc., Mountainman Saratoga Outfitters and the Saratoga Hilton gift shop for $10 each.

The festival is pet-friendly with some of the participants even serving dog chowder. The popular Dog Chow Down will take place at 1 p.m. at the Saratoga Downtowner Motel. Organizers said one of Mayor Scott Johnson's dogs will be on hand to pick the winning chowder. For a second year in a row, Radio Disney will be in the Ben & Jerry's parking lot at 34 Phila St. from 1 to 3 p.m. offering music and games for the kids. Radio Disney is sponsored by Allerdice Rent-All and Ben & Jerry's of Saratoga.

For an additional $10, Chowderfest attendees can take home an official long-sleeve Chowderfest T-shirt with a completed ballot. Winning chefs will be announced in front of the Saratoga Springs City Center at 6:30 p.m. the day of the event.

For a list of participating restaurants, Winter Weekend events, information on discounted hotel specials and how to enter to win the survey, go to www.discoversaratoga.org/chowderfest or by call (518) 584-1531.

Saratoga Chowderfest 2013

Where: At participating establishments in downtown Saratoga Springs

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $1 for each sample of chowder; Chowderfest chugs (reusable mug/lid/spoon combination) available for $10 at select locations